Today’s column pits veterans against youngsters. In the former column are such established talents as Craig Bickhardt, Alabama and Gene Watson. In the latter, we have Rachele Lynae, Lucy Hale, and Mickey & The Motorcars. So I’m giving two Disc of the Day awards. The first goes to the enduringly great Gene Watson. The second goes to today’s red-hot Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood.

The DisCovery Award goes to Lucy Hale. TV stars have had a hit-or-miss history of translating their fan followings into country-singing success. Here’s hoping she’s in the “hit” column.

LUCY HALE/You Sound Good To Me Writers: Ashley Gorley/Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Mike Daly; Publishers: External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/BMG Gold, ASCAP/BMI; DMG Nashville
-The Pretty Little Liars TV star delivers the goods with this ultra-catchy toe tapper. The song is super well crafted, and her vocal is full of verve and confidence. Make room for her on your playlists.

JAY JOLLEY/High and Mighty Writers: Sarah Majors/Phillip Lammons/Matt King; Producer: Chuck Alkazian; Publishers: Tazmaraz/KadaLaNa/Motochez/Brain Twang, BMI/ASCAP; Double J (CDX)
-I have liked this guy several times in the past. As before, he sings with passion and grit here. The production on this country rocker is a little messy sounding, but there’s definite propulsion.

DAVID LOVING/Potato in Rio Writers: David Loving; Producer: David Loving; Publisher: Tender Wolf, BMI; Tall Horse (track)
-He can just barely sing. Accompanying his weak, lung-less vocal attempt is a band that seems incapable of locking into a groove.

MICKEY & THE MOTORCARS Writers: Mickey Braun/Willy Braun; Producer: Willy Braun with Mickey & The Motorcars; Publishers: none listed; MB
-This has a wide-open-spaces sonic quality that’s attractive. Mickey’s voice isn’t a powerhouse, but has a pleasing drawl. I would have mixed it up above the band more. The way it is now, the guitar playing and drumming are as prominent as the singing, so he sounds like he’s drowning.

WADE BOWEN & BRANDY CLARK/Love In The First Degree Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Lightning Rod
-This track from last fall’s High Cotton tribute CD to Alabama has become a hit on the Texas charts, and I can hear why. The excellent song has been slowed to a pulsing throbber, and these two voices are perfectly matched. They alternate verses beautifully, and on the choruses Brandy sings lead while Wade provides flawless harmony. Fascinating listening.

Gene Watson

LUKE BRYAN/Love In The First Degree Writers: Tim DuBois/Jim Hurt; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog-Universal
-The High Cotton tribute CD is comprised of Americana artists. Alabama & Friends is its mainstream-country tribute counterpart. Luke Bryan essays the same song as Brandy and Wade, demonstrating by contrast how pedestrian a Nashville approach can be. It’s speeded up slightly, but otherwise apes Alabama’s original arrangement faithfully. For a more creative outing, try Rascal Flatt’s version of “Old Flame.”

CRAIG BICKHARDT/It Opens Writers: Craig Bickhardt; Producers: Glenn Barratt & Craig Bickhardt; Publishers: Stone Barn, ASCAP; Stone Barn (track)
-Country hit writer and former Schuyler-Knobloch-Bickhardt member (1988’s “Givers and Takers,” etc.) now makes simply produced, singer-songwriter solo CDs. This track from his latest, The More I Wonder, illustrates how thoughtful and enriching his composing continues to be. Persevere through life, it says, and press on because often, “It don’t look like a door, but it opens.”

RACHELE LYNAE/Touch The Stars Writers: Rachele Lynae/Danick Dupelle/Patricia Conroy; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: none listed
-The latest from this ingenue is a rippling, upbeat celebration of young love. Her sunny vocal rides atop a punchy, percolating track. O’Neal’s production touch is just right for this bopping youngster.

Album Releases

September 13Brett Young/The Acoustic Sessions [EP]/BMLG RecordsThe Lumineers
/III/DualtoneVarious/Country Music – A Film By Ken Burns (The Soundtrack) [2CD, 2LP and digital configurations]/LegacyGeorge Strait/Strait Out of the Box: Part 1 [Walmart re-issue]/MCA Records NashvilleHailey Whitters/The Days